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Posted on 09/24/2002 2:09:34 PM PDT by BlessingInDisguise
Colorado Libertarians amused and irritated at secret ‘spy file’ kept by Denver police
Colorado LP leaders say they are more amused than angry that a newly released Denver Police Department "spy file" describes the Libertarian Party as a "militia" type organization.
"A political party as a militia group? How ridiculous!" said John Berntson, State Chair of the Colorado LP. "Is this the quality of the law enforcement in Denver? Is Barney Fife running the shop?"
According to news reports, the Denver Police Department maintained files on approximately 3,200 Colorado citizens and 208 organizations from across the political spectrum.
The files, which were released to the public in early September, listed the Libertarian Party as a "Militia type organization, pro gun rights."
Former Colorado LP Publications Director Ari Armstrong said the analysis of the party as a militia-style group is flat out wrong.
"The Libertarian Party does not conduct or participate in military-style training," he noted. Instead, it runs candidates for public office, engages in political lobbying efforts, and "participates in peaceable demonstrations in support of individual rights.
"Why the Denver Police Department targeted for investigation the Libertarian Party for peaceably advocating the Bill of Rights remains a mystery," he said.
Overall, the revelation of a Libertarian Party police file was "not a surprise, but it's an outrage," said Armstrong. "Apparently, peaceably advocating the Bill of Rights warrants a police investigation."
The mischaracterization of the Libertarian Party's political nature does raise profound doubts about the intelligence of the Denver Police, said Berntson.
"The files themselves are laughable to the extent that they illustrate just how pathetically ill-informed the Denver P.D. is," he said. "They are also scary for the same reason.
"This is nothing more than government inefficiency and stupidity. This is Denver's tax dollars at their worst, and Denver's citizens should be appalled at their police."
The files became public knowledge this spring, and set off a firestorm of controversy throughout Colorado. Civil libertarians said the files were a worrisome invasion of privacy, similar to the surveillance files kept by former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.
In response, Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb instructed the police department to destroy the files -- but only after giving copies to the individuals and organizations that had been monitored.
"It was very clear that something went wrong here," said Andrew Hudson, a spokesman for the mayor. "[Police] intelligence work is necessary, but has to be done right and in a way in which civil liberties aren't trampled."
Began in 1999, the spy files were in the form of a computer database. Records were kept on community activists, "social justice" organizations, and individuals who had attended political meetings and rallies.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Denver Police Department over the files.
The release of the files began in early September. About 300 people and representative of about 70 groups crowded into police headquarters to review their files.
Walter Schlomer, the Colorado LP's fundraising director, picked up a copy of the Libertarian Party's file on September 5.
"It's an outrage," said Schlomer. "In spite of no record of violence or illegal activity of any kind, the Denver P.D. felt it neessary to secretly spy on the LP and keep track of our activities."
In addition to describing the Libertarian Party as a "Militia type organization," and noting it was "pro gun rights," the brief file gave the LP a "Law Enforcement" classification. Police did not explain what that meant.
The file also listed the Libertarian Party's "AKA Name" as the "Denver Metro Libertarian Party," which is a local affiliate of the state LP. In a section labeled "Person Associations," five listings were blacked out.
"There are words and lines blacked out by what looks to be a black marker," said Schlomer. "These represent names in the first two lines and I'm not sure what in the next lines."
Responding to criticism about the files, the Denver Police Department acknowledged that some groups were improperly characterized as "criminal extremists." A police spokesman said untrained clerks mistakenly shoehorned every organization into the few options available in the software's limited menu.
The spokesman also said the department will continue to maintain "intelligence files" only on people who are suspected or convicted of criminal activity, and will have an outside consultant review the files for appropriateness.
Not all libertarians are pro-abortion, and some are not for open borders. Libertarianism (the philosophy) does not outrightly deal with national borders so libertarians can disagree. I would be ok with open borders only on the condition of complete removal of all socialistic programs and be completely sure that no more large scale foreign terrorist attacks would occur. The first is possible, the second right now isn't, so at the moment, I'm not for open borders, and I'm also pro-life.
The Green Party cost the Democratic Party the presidential election in 2000. What was the margin, about 550 Votes here in Florida? That's a small fraction of what they drained from the Democrats here. Republican's don’t want a split off from ether the Christian right or the Libertarians to have the same effect on us in 2004. I can't speak for all Republicans, but that's why I personally spend time attacking Libertarians when I think that they're mistaken.
So are you saying his campaigning tactics would attract otherwise republicans? why is that?
Anyone really think that maintaining files on organizations which espouse controversial, unpopular or politically incorrect views or on the people who participate in such organizations is even 'uncommon' ?
If you would like to believe that this is simply a little aberration out in Denver and that this couldn't possibly happen in your town, or at the federal level then I'd have to ask if the sky is blue in your world.
How long did it take to craft that piece of tunnel vision?
Voters are Republicans, Democrats, third party and no party. Allard can lose votes to Strickland, third party candidates or simply by people not voting in that race.
Stanley's a loathsome half-witted fanatic who will influence very few, but the race is very close.
We have free elections "AS LONG AS YOU VOTE FOR ONE OF THE TWO OFFICIALLY APPROVED PARTYS"? Really neat and a big reason why I am resistant to voting for either one.
Did you ever think that the problem is with the Demos and Repo Partys?? No, don't consider that. A reality check might cause you to change your slavish commitment to whichever party of the ruling Duolpoly is your chosen savior.
If you have a problem with getting votes because of the 1%ers then I think you need to check yourself and your party. Blaming any third party for your party's poor showing in the elections is nothing more than a denial of reality. Seek help.
Note: make a law that Requires all people to vote and then offer them just one/two choices. They do that in other nations and it gives the appearance of total participation and approval by the voters. Of course it is just an appearance.
I will not give up my right to choose who I will vote for when it does not meet your approval. Ask others what they think about that idea.
CATO
SO WHAT?
The DEMOs lost the election, even though they tried to steal it, because they were not liked by the voters. Same thing applies to any close election lost by the REPOs. Get used to losing elections when you lose the confidence of the voters.
When MILLIONS of votes are casted and you, or the the DEMOs, lose by this number then you need to work on Changing your platform or nominees. This is very simple to see. What IF I came on here and said that Libertarians or Greens or Reform lost because REPOs or DEMOs were running in the election?? You would see it for what it is, sour grapes.
CATO
Does not it seem that whoever gets elected anymore has become a power unto themselves and any old rag called our Constitution that may limit those powers be damned.
Take care and be well,
CATO
I have not idea what you're talking about. If you can show me how a reasonable person could draw that conclusion from what I said, I'll apologize. Otherwise, I think you're making no more sense than KDD, and I don't have the patience to follow people's lengthy posts when they stray so far from reason in the first sentence.
I read 3 more sentience. You sound like a lunatic. Don't talk to me.
Just long enough for you to show why you really don't like him.
Sounds more like you just emerged from a stoned-out-of-your-gourd coma.
My reply on this thread is over a week old.
There are some fresher threads just posted today where I was zinging the druggies.
See if you can find 'em and let this one gather dust in the archives.
Yeah, sure you don't want that. Then keep on making libertarian friends as you are want to do with your tirade against libertarians for their perceived threat to REPO electoral aspirations. Kinda like you want me to say,
I tell you,
But, don't believe me sir, ask others what they think about that attitude.
Toodle lou,
CATO
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